rhodrymavelyne: (Default)
Tight, intimate detail draws me into a series, especially involving character interaction. I loved it in Hannibal and American Gods.

I’m seeing it in some of Marvel’s mini-series; Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and especially Daredevil.

World of Darkness sourcebooks encouraged players to storytelling with such detail, bringing the setting, along with the characters to life.

The New York City Marvel has created for Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Matt Murdock, Danny Rand, and the people whom interact with them feels like a city in the World of Darkness; in its shadows, violence, and intimate detail.

It’s a self-contained little world in this city; where Harlem, Hell’s Kitchen, and the various corners are explored by the characters.

I know these corners will overlap. I haven’t seen The Defenders yet, although I want to. I’m wanting to get to know each of the superheroes on their own terms first.

Charlie Cox brings a compelling energy to the character of Matt Murdock. Jessica Jones manages to be tough and damaged in a way I cannot look away from. Luke Cage created a shell for himself, which is nowhere as damage proof as he is. Danny Rand explodes into moments of rage, which reveal just how much damage he’s endured.

I’m looking forward to seeing how they interact. They’ve already gathered a host of interesting characters around them; Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, Elektra, Trish/Patsy, Malcolm, and Jeri Hogarth. Their foes are fascinating as well; Kilgrave, Wilson Fisk, Cottonmouth, and Madam Gao.

When Daredevil began; Matt, Foggy, and Karen in their little Hell’s Kitchen offices reminded me of Angel, Doyle, and Cordelia Chase at the very beginning of Angel, when they worked out of their small L.A. office. There was energy, which felt similar, despite distinctive differences.

Luke and Danny just lost their place and are searching for it. Jessica’s office and apartment give Bo and Kenzi’s flat in Lost Girl a run for its money in being run-down. Jess gets to know everyone in that apartment, just as Luke seemed to know everyone at Pop’s barber shop. Danny wandered through places which were no longer his.

It was truly scary, seeing David Tennant play Kilgrave after seeing him as the Doctor. Crowley on Good Omens seemed warm and fuzzy by comparison, but that’s another story.

Cottonmouth promises to be even more complex than Wilson Fisk. I marvel at how Fisk managed to be a monster and man, in his relationships with Vanessa and Wesley. Seeing him gave me Francis Dolarhyde and Hannibal Lecter flashbacks. The Adagio in D playing in the restaurant helped with that, plus it made me smile.

The City of Darkness takes its heroes on an interesting journey, different from the one of explosions and earth-shaking battles that the other Marvel heroes fight.

We’re on a more intimate level for this struggle. I’m curious where it will lead.
rhodrymavelyne: (Default)
I saw the Mighty Nein's latest adventure. I just have to marvel at how Trent Ikithon managed to transform the classical love a mentor has for a student described in Plato's Symposium into something Angelus might do in Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel.

I recall how Spike wept when Dru left him, saying that she wouldn't even cut his head off or set him on fire, to show she truly cared.

Did Trent ever care in a way demons (and sinister archmages) do! I'm guessing Trent would prefer to cut the heads off of Essek, the Mighty Nein, and everyone Caleb ever cared about, just to break Bren and make him stronger.

I doubt it will ever be over between Trent and his precious pupil until one of them kills the other. Trent must either kill Bren, using the pain from killing one of the few people of value to himself to become stronger or Bren must kill him; surpassing him in might. Only then will Trent's tutelage and Bren's education be complete.

If so, Caleb may have thumbed his nose at his adversary by trapping him twice. By refusing to destroy or consume his mentor the way Trent wishes him to do so.

It's a fascinating relationship to watch play out; one which Matthew Mercer and Liam O'Brien role-play with riveting intensity. They've brought such power to this adversity. I can't look away when Trent and Caleb confront each other; even if Trent is simply taunting Caleb with a voice message.

At the same time I laughed my head off with Beau shut the door on the message. Only for Caleb to say deadpan they should probably hear the rest.

I do wonder where Trent got such a twisted notion of the educational curriculum a mage should offer their pupils. I also wonder how much Ludinus shares it.

Trent believes the loss of Bren's family, his home was his defining moment. Caleb might argue it was meeting Nott in prison, followed by meeting the rest of the Mighty Nein.

Trent might retort that the Nein's true binding moment was the loss of one of their own, followed by a vision of the colorful banner of Mollymauk's coat, fluttering in the wind in the breeze.

It's an argument Trent will persist in making to the last. It's one that Caleb will resist to the end.

I can't say I like Trent any more than I liked Delilah Briarwood, but I find his relationship with Caleb riveting, just as I find Delilah's with Laudna riveting.

Matt Mercer does villains so very well. Long may he reign. (heart)

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